EMAS Verifier: Key to credibility

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and the role of the verifier
Dr. Stefan GaraETA Environmental Consulting
1st Environmental Verifier in Austria since 1995
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EMAS in Austria
future trend?

• Austrian Environmental Management Act?
  deregulation benefits for organisations

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EMAS marketing campaign
www.emas.gv.at
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Key to credibility?
Verifiers play a crucial role in the credibility
of the EMAS regulation
credibility to whom? accreditation body local
authorities NGOs consumers insurance
financial analysts
Dr. Stefan Gara
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What is the role of a verifier?
Function is defined in Annex V 5.4 but there
are different requests from target groups

• authority?
• consultant?
• EMAS promoter?
• ?

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All aspects should be addressed equally
social / organizational
in reality priorities are very different!
increasing focus on legal compliance!
technical
legal
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Indicators for best EMAS practice

• leadership involvement / executive training (HR)
• long term commitment performance
• open dialogue
• eco procurement
• eco design (products / services)
• eco criteria in financial asset management

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Conflict of interest?

• most verifiers are accredited for both EMAS
  ISO 14.001
• few verifiers promote EMAS and rather prefer
  ISO 14.001!
• professional background interest determine the
  focus towards environmental issues

Dr. Stefan Gara
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are we walking in the same direction?
Dr. Stefan Gara
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Outlook
EMAS verifiers are facing new challenges

• increased focus on legal compliance
• sustainability reporting (CSR)
• constant battle over ISO 14.001
• increasing number of standards
• tighter resources

Dr. Stefan Gara
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A chance for transparency and democracy!
Dr. Stefan Gara